A treasure of nature with geological and botanical exceptions. It´s a testemony for the 350 years old history in building millstones.
The geological genesis of the Zittau Mountains startet with sedimentations in the cretaceous age. Vulcanic activity with basalt and phonolite broke through the sandstone and changed its structure. Following erosions created bizarre rock formations and show geological rarities.
1 Near the „Three Tables“ (Drei Tische) it goes on the stone-breakers trails into the eldest millstone quarries, called „Bear Cave“ (Bärloch), where in the year of 1560 the quarry started. „White-Rock-Quarry! (Weiße-Felsen-Bruch) and „Kellerberg-Quarry“ (Kellerbergbruch) are stations an the trail to the old quarry-smithy.
The „Black Whole“ (Schwarzes Loch), the biggest and most impressive quarry is likewise a tourist mine, which shows the living of stone-breakers. The millstones from Jonsdorf with a diameter of 0,50 – 2,70 m are very hard and porous.
2 The following „Rock City“ of Jonsdorf is a natural reserve which delights with fantastic views and fabulous rock formations: the Small and Big Organ (Kleine und Große Orgel), Dwarf, Rhinoceros, Saint Bernard (Bernhardiner), Tea Pot ...
The romantic mountain trail leads us through the rock world back into the village. At the observatory a rockmade information board explains the Zittau Mountains and informs about occuring minerals.
Tourist Information Kurort Jonsdorf
Auf der Heide 11, 02796 Kurort Jonsdorf
Phone: 0049 - (0)35844 - 70 61 6
tourist@jonsdorf.de
Literature + Touristic Maps: Wander- und Radwanderkarte,
Naturpark Zittauer Gebirge/Lužické hory,
M 1 : 33 000,
Sachsen Kartographie GmbH Dresden
Wander- & Naturführer Zittauer Gebirge,
Berg- & Naturverlag Rölke, Dresden